The first prediction of 2014

I’m going out on a limb, and I know it, but there come times when one must make bold predictions. Here is mine for the 2014 ProRodeo season:

Sage Kimzey

Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Okla., is going to win the Resistol Bull Riding Rookie of the Year.

Yeah, it’s a big limb, I know.

Heading into this week, the 19-year-old cowboy was second in the world standings with about $23,000. He nearly tripled that over the course of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, where he won both the bull riding title and the Xtreme Bulls-San Antonio championship. His total payout in the Alamo City was $40,000.

That’s pretty impressive, and as long as he stays healthy and can continue to ride well, he’s well on his way to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. Heck, he’s well on his way to the world championship, where he’ll hold a substantial lead when the bean counters in Colorado Springs put everything together Monday.

He’s a good young man from a great family, and I’ve enjoyed watching him over the last year, one that included him setting the earnings record for permit-holders. Now he’s well on his way to that coveted gold buckle.